How to Manage Conflict in Your Family Business: Building Empathy

Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of family businesses. It is a top reason that families come to me looking for help. Conflict can arise due to disagreements about business decisions, unresolved tensions and dysfunctions between family members. Sometimes it is simply because the close quarters of a family business can be breeding grounds for conflict. People in conflict tend to lock themselves into their own position.  They repeat pattens and are unwilling to compromise. However, if not managed effectively, conflict can cause serious damage to the business and relationships within it. In this blog post, we will discuss how to build empathy in order to manage conflict more effectively in your family business. What is true empathy? We …

Family Business Transition: How One Family Smoothly Handled a Family Member’s Exit

A couple of weeks ago in a previous blog, I shared a story about a time I was speaking at a global family business event. One of the families in attendance asked a question. They were having a challenge around a family business transition and member who wanted to exit the business against the family’s wishes Below is an example taken from my work with a client of mine. It illustrates very powerfully what can happen when the vision of each individual family member is considered in any sort of transition or family business succession. Personal details, such as names and industries, have been changed to protect the client’s privacy. Family Dynamics The Garrison’s were a two-generation family business who …